It Is Not Easy Working In Male Dominated House Of Assembly - Hon. Yetunde Sogbein

• Hon. Yetunde Sogbein

The 8th Legislative Assembly of the Ogun State House of Assembly(OGHA) winds up on Friday with Honourable Yetunde Sogbein disclosing that it was not easy working in a male dominated state legislature.

Of the 26 - member 8th Assembly, two were females. The rest - all males. Yetunde Sogbein represented Odeda State Constituency in the last four years. 

She was also the House Committee Chairperson on Women Affairs during the period in focus.

The female lawmaker who was the first to be given the floor by the Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, to address the House during its Valedictory session, did not explain why she found it tougher working in male dominated OGHA, she however, thanked her male colleagues for their support, understanding and unity with which they carried out the business of legislation without minding party affiliations.

"I thank my Odeda state constituency for giving me the opportunity to represent them for four years. It has been four wonderful years and it is God's doing. It couldn't have been better.

"It is not easy to work with men in house where men are in the majority. We have 24 men in the house while two of us are women, but it has been wonderful all the same. I thanked all my males colleagues for their understanding. In this Assembly we worked in unity and put party affiliations aside in the interest and upliftment of our dear state," she said.

Mrs Sogbein will be succeeded for the Odeda State Constituency seat by Hon. Daisy Elemide, who is said to have an ambition for the Speakership position for the forthcoming Ogun 9th Assembly.

  However, the Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi has disclosed that  the 7th and 8th Legislative sessions he led for eight years, passed a total of sixty-seven bills and numerous resolutions.

 

 Adekunbi added that the Assembly equally achieved financial autonomy for the legislature and ensured the speedy passage of appropriation bills with due diligence before the commencement of  any financial year.

 

 He lauded his colleagues for their support at creating enabling environment for socio-economic advancement and investment opportunities, inspite of political differences.

According to the Speaker, Ogun Assembly emerged the most prolific and resourceful in the country through core legislative business and the delivery of democratic dividends to respective constituents.

 

 He attributed the  uninterrupted leadership and record setting attainment during his tenure in both seventh and eighth legislative sessions, to the help of Almighty Allah, the sacrifice and understanding of his colleagues, who gave him the opportunity to serve the Gateway State.

 

 He said:‘’I inherited a polarised legislative arm and immediately swung into action by restoring peace and sanity to the State Assembly, having united all lawmakers towards engendering productivity in lawmaking and the overall development of the State."

 

 Assuring of his advice and service to the incoming 9th Legislature, Adekunbi tasked them to strive hard to surpass the record of the outgone 8th Legislature by making the electorate have value for their votes and painstaking sacrifices.

 

He also  enjoined the incoming lawmakers to sustain the existing tempo of legislative vibrancy and mutual interdependence among the three arms of government, urging them to be a partner in progress by resisting every attempt to bring them on a collision course with other arms of government.

 

Earlier, members including; the Deputy Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, Majority Leader Olusola Sonuga, Honourables Oyenuga Olufowobi, Adebowale Ojuri, Akinpelu Aina, Victor Fasanya, Adebiyi Adeleye and Jimi Otukoya, thanked God for the opportunity to represent their constituents and the Speaker, for his charismatic leadership and inclusiveness, as well as the dedication of the entire workers of the Assembly.

 

Others -  Adebowale Solaja, Harrison Adeyemi, Israel Jolaoso, Olayiwola Ojodu, Folakemi Akintayo, Viwanu Ojo, Oludare Kadiri, Ganiyu Oyedeji, Jemili Akingbade, Akanbi Bankole, Olawale Alausa, also agreed that said their experience in the last four years was worthwhile and together they have contributed their quota to the progress and development of the State.

 

The valedictory session was attended by a former Speaker of the 3rd Legislature, Bashorun Muyiwa Oladipo, members-elect of the 9th Legislature amongst other dignitaries.

Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta